Collapsible hat bag



Nov. 13,1928. 1,691,904

. H. c. GAMBLE COLLAPSIBLE HAT BAG Filed Nov. 24, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet lNov. 1.3, 1928. 1,691,904

H. c. GAMBLE COLLAPSIBLE HAT BAG Filed Nov. 24. 1921 2 sheets-sheet 2Patented Nov. 13,y 1928.

UNITED STATESy HELEN C. GAMBLE, F NEW YORK, N, Y.

coLLArsrBLn HAT nee.

Application filed November 24, 1921. Serial No. 517,420.

This invention relates to collapsible bags. More particularly, theinvention relates to collapsible bags for hats and similar'fragileobjects. An obj ect of the invention is to pron vide a bag for hats andthe like which' when not in use may be collapsed to greatly reducedover-all dimensions and with minimum removal of the parts of the bag.

A further feature of the invention is to prom vide a construction offabric and arrangement of the stifl'ening parts, usually of metal or thelike, whereby convenience of access to the one or more compartments ofthe bag is facilitated while the bag is resting on any l suitablesupport or while being suspended.-

With the above objects in view, a preferred form of my inventioncomprises fabric usually of circular sectional contour and formed toprovide a single compartment by the pro- :o vision of laterally disposedAstiffening means removably secured in position by relative movement ofone portion to another portion In other preferred forms of the inventionas j in the multi-compartment forms, the bottom 25 of the fabric isstitfened by a hoop of the above form o'f stitfening means and also toprovide a partition between the succeeding upwardly disposedcompartments, and access aorded to the respective compartments by theprovision of an opening formed in the fabric at one lateral side of thefabric. Preferably such multi-compartment form of my invention is of thesuspended type.

l/Vhen it is desired to collapse the bag the material of the bag isdropped in alignment and by grasping the opposite diametrical portionsof the bag and twisting through 180 degrees arc of movement and foldingthe resulting two circular portions of reduced diameter one upon theother, whereupon the bag thus collapsed both in height as well as indiameter may be stored in an envelope or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bag or envelope forreceiving such collapsible bag when in collapsed position or forreceiving other articles as may be desired.

Further features and objects of this invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following description and the accompanying drawings,in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a unitary compartment type ofbag, partly broken away to show the joint of the metal stilfening means;

Fig. 1a is a detail sectional elevation on line la-P of Fig. l;

Fig. 2-is a top perspective view of Fig. 1.; l* 1g. 3 is a perspectiveview showing the bag illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 being twisted tocollapse the same,

Fig. is a perspective View of an envelope for storing the twisted andfolded bag;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention, inwhich the top of the bag 1s closed by snap fasteners;

Fig. 6 1s a top plan vieu? of the bag shown in Fig. 5, with the topopened;

Fig. 7 is a detail exploded view showing the terminal portions of themetal stilfening hoop andsecurmg means;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a two-compartment bag embodying myinvention, partly broken away;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bag shown 1n Fig. 8, with the fabricof the partition removed, to show hidden parts;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a four-compartment bag embodying myinvention; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an envelope for storing the collapsedbag shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring y. to Figs. 1 and 2, the form of my invention is of the singlecompartment form and is closed at its top by means of a draw string 12.The bottom 13 of the collapsible bag is preferably circular in contourand may be formed as is indicated in Fig. 1 of a circularly cut piece ofmaterial and secured by a seam to the fold 14 formed at the lower end ofthe material 15 serving as the outer side of the bag. side of the bag iscontinued upwardly to form the top 16 and adjacent the uppermost end 17the draw string 12 is located.

The material of the bag may be of any suitable fabric of ornamentaldesign or otherwise to suit the particular purposes for the bag or thefancy of the purchaser.

To give a suitable configuration to the material of the bag, I providethe hoop 18 which may be of any desired length and secured in positionby means of suitable detachable coupling means adjacent the respectiveends of the hoop. In Figs. 1 and 7,1 show a particular form of couplingmeans comprising the pair of spaced, headed lugs 19, 20, cooperatingrespectively with the pair of bayonet slots 21, 22, the large opening ofeach of such slots 21, 22, permitting the heads of the respective lugs19, 20 to pass therethrough whereupon the ends of the hoop 18 are pulledto movethe body portions of the headed lugs 19, 20 with- The material 15of the outer l in the restricted portions ofthe slots 21, 22,-

' 18 are uncoupled by manually applying force lil to the end 23 of thehoop 18 in a direction transverse to the direction of length of thestii'ening hoop 18, to thereby spring the terv minal portion 23 out ofcontact with the lug 24 and sliding the lugs 19, 20 in the slots 21, 22respectively until the heads of the lugs 19, 20 can be passed throughthe larger' openings of the slots 21, 22, and then removing the hoop 18from within the bag.

However, I prefer that the bag be collapsed with the hoop 18 positionedtherein and for such purpose the hoop 18 is made Yof resilient material,such as tempered steel and may be permanently secured to the material ofthe bag by straps of fabric or the like sewed to the material andbridging the hoop 18 at three or more locations about the periphery ofthe hoop; Also, the vertically ex` tending strips 25, 25 may be employedof whalebone, celluloid or like relatively light resilient material andsnapped to the fabric in any suitable manner and to resiliently hold theside portion 15 of the material of the bag in, position. As one form ofsuch disconnectible connection for the vertically extending strips 25,25, I illustrate in Figs. 1 and l, snap fasteners 25, 25a for snappingthe vertically extending strips 25 respectively to the peripheralportion 15 of the material of the bag.

To collapse such form of bag, the bag is allowed to collapse verticallyupon unsnapping the vertically extending strips 25, 25 and by graspingthe material of the bag the opposite diametrically disposed portions 26,27 as indicated in Fig. 3, and twisting the hoop 18 together with thematerial of the bag until the configuration 8 approximately is formed,thus forming generally two circular portions, each portion being ofapproximately one-half diameter, and thereupon one circular portion Ifolded ipon the other to form the resulting form in cated at `28 whichmay be stored in the envelope 29 of suitable fabric or thel like. Theinner dimension of the envelope 29 is illustrated to retain the twistedand folded ba in the form indicated at 28 in Fig. 4.

n the use of the bag shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as when. a hat is placedtherein, the bag may be suspended manually or by hanging the loops ofthe draw string 12 on a hook, or

the like.

If desired, as is indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, the top 30 of the bag maybe provided with snap fasteners 31, the members of which snap fasteners31 are respectively secured to the closure aps of the top 30.v Thesuspension ring 32 is secured to a closure flap of the top 30 andpreferably closely adjacent to the free edge of its closure Upon closureof the snap fasteners 31 and grasping the ring 32,

the bag is suspended and the material of the bag is held indistendedposition.

If desired, as is indicated in Figs. 6 and 9, the flap 13 may be sewedto the bottom 13 of the bag for holding the hat pins which xpay be stuckthrough the material of the n Figs. 8 and 9, is shown anothermodification of a two compartment type wherein the bottom and side andtop correspond to the parts of the modifications shown in Figs. l and 2,and Figs. 5 and 6 respectively and like parts are designated bythe samereference numbers. However, in this construction two hoops 18 areemployed and located respectively at the upper margin of the lower and4upper compartments respectively. The partition between the upper andlower compartments isv provided by means of the fabric '33 sewed at itscircularly extending side portion 34 to the side portion 15 of thematerial'of the bag and provided withthe draw string 35 for closing thepartition 33. In this particular modification, the closure flap of thebag is closed by the series of snap fasteners 31 applied adjacent thefree edge of the closure flap and upon closure of the closure flap, thebag is suspended in distended relation of its parts by means of the ring32 secured tothe closure flap at a location between llw the

The bag shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may be collapsed by allowing the materialto drop, the top in substantial. vertical alignment with the bottomsimilarly asin the modifications hereinabove described, and thereaftertwisted and folded to final collapsed form..

In the modification shown in Fig. 10, I have illustrated a fourcompartment bag having the circular bottom 40 preferably stiffened by a.hoop 18 enclosed at its circumference and partitions 41, 42, 43 ofcircularly cut fabric and stiif-ened at their respective circumferenceby means of the hoops 18. However, in this modification, the materialforming the circularly extending side 44 is cut to provide a verticallyextending lateral opening closed by the Hap 45 which is preferably of awidth greater than the opening at the side of the bag. 'Ih-e top 46 ofthe bag is provided with the ring 47 for suspending the bag in acupboard or other permanent or transitory location for receiving andprotecting four or more hats or like fragile objects..

position by snap asteners or bytie strings or the like.

In Fig. 11, I have indicated a circular envelope 48 for receiving thevertically col-I lapsed twisted and folded bag shown in Fig. 10, themethodl of collapsing, twisting and folding being the same as that shownin the above described modifications. The envelope 48 is provided withthe hand holds 49 for carrying or suspending the envelope. As isillustrated in Fig. 11, the envelope or bag 48 is wholly closed on oneof its fiat sides and on the opposite Hat side is closed at the bottomand open at an upper part to provide a semi-circular flap for closingthe bag. The pair of coacting hand holds 49, 49 are respectively securedto the upper edge of the Hap and to the body of the bag, whereby upongrasping the hand-hold 49 secured to the arcshaped flap jointly with thehand-hold 49 'secured to the circular edge of the bag 48,

the arc-shaped flap is automatically held in closed position.Preferably, as is also illustrated in Fig. 11, the circular edge of thearcshaped flap of the bag 48 is provided with a circularly extendingflange s trip. If desired, the bag 48 may be provided with the removablestiifening members such as the members 25 referred to hereinabove inrespect f to Fig. 1.

From the above it will be observed that I have provided a collapsiblebag formed of inherently collapsible material serving as the majormaterial of the bag and hoops or the like of resilient material whichmay be readily removed or retained in position and collapsed and foldedto greatly reduced dimension. It will be also observed as appears fromthe construction of my bag shown in Figs. 8 and 9, that the spaced,circularly or peripherally extending hoops 18 and the transverselyextending stiffening strips 25 combiiiedly form an extended stiffeningmeans for the peripheral or band portion of the material of the bag andhold the same in distended position, which stiifening means when inposition r esist the collapsibility of the oppositelydisposed circularsides of the bag in radial direction as in m issued Patent No.1,207,533, dated Decem er 5th, 1916. If desired, the hoop for retainingthe shape of the various forms of my collapsible bag may be as theconstruction shown in my United States Patent No. 1,207,533, datedDecember 5, 12h16, but

' of Hat material having one or more lugs on one of the mutuallyengaging portions of the hoop and a series of bayonet slots in the otherof the mutually engaging portions of the hoop similarly as in theconstruction of the hoop 18 as is indicated in Figs. 1 and7 hereinrespectively.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without de artin fi'oni the spirit of the invention, as efined ythe appended claims. l l

I claim:

1.. An envelope yof the character described comprising a peripheral bandand a circular side,.said circular side being formed of non-,self-sustaining material, a portion 'of the inatei'ial of said circularside forming a closure iiap having a free edge extending from a locationadjacent said peripheralband to another location adjacent 'said.peripheral band. stiffening means secured to ysaid peripheral band,said stiii'ening means extending longitudinally and transverselyrelative to said peripheral band, and means for suspending said envelopein 'its closed and distended posit ion, said means including an element`secured to said closure flap between the ends of the free edge of saidclosure flap and a series of fasteners mounted adjacent the free edge ofsaid closure Hap.

2. An envelope of the character described formed ofl substantiallyself-collapsing material shaped to 5have a peripheral band and circularside portions attached to one another to form a substantially closedcontainer, a portion of the material of one of said sides forming aclosure flap and serving when opened to provide an opening to aifor-daccess into the bag, said closure iiap having a free edge extending froma location adjacent said peripheral band to another location adjacentsaid peripheral band, stiifening means permanently secured to saidperipheral band', said stiffening means extending longitudinally andtransversely relative to said peripheral band, a series of fastenersadjacent the free edge of said closure flap for securing the free edgeof said closure flap vin its closed position and means for suspendingsaid peripheral member and said circular members, said suspending meanscomprising an element se- 3. A bag comprising a peripheral'member andoppositely disposed circular members, said peripheral member beingof^nonself sustaining fabric, one of said circular meinfbers being ofnon-self-sustaining fabric, a

portion of said one circular member forming a closure flap to provide anopening to afford access within the bag, and having a free lof liti

lil() edge,xmeans for closing saidclosure flap, stitfening means securedto said peripheral meinber, said Ystiflening means extendinglongitudinally of and witliinfsaid peripheral member, said stieningmeans further extending at a plurality of locations transversely to saidlongitudinal direction, and means for suspending the bag to hold saidmembers in selfsustaining, position, said suspending means comprising anelement secured to said closure flap and between the ends of the freeedge of said closure flap of said one circular member.

4. A bag comprising a peripheral member and oppositely disposed circularmembers, said peripheral member being of non-selfsustaining fabric, oneof said circular members being of non-self-sustaining fabric, a portionof said one circular member forming a closure flap to provide an openingto afford access within the bag, a series of fasteners for closing saidclosure flap, stiffening means for said peripheral member, saidstiffening means beinn' permanently secured to said peripheral i mem er,said stiifening means extending longitudinally of and transversely tothe dire c tion of length of said peripheral member, said stiifeningmeans being disposed inwardly of said eripheralimember and means forsuspending the bag to hold said members in distended position when saidclosure flap of said one circular member is in closed position, saidsuspending means including an element secured to said closure flapbetween the ends of the free edge of said closure flap.

5. A bag comprising a peripheral member and oppositely disposed circularmembers, said peripheral member being of non-selfsustaining fabric, oneof said circular members being of non-self-sustaining fabric, a portionof said one circular member forming a closure flap to provide an openingto afford access Within the bag, the free edge of said closure flapextending from one location adjacent said peripheral member to anotherlocation adjacent said peripheral member, a series of fasteners securedto the free edge of said closure flap for closing said closure flap,stiifening means for said .peripheral member, said stiffening meansbeing permanently secured to and disposed Within said peripheralmember,said stiffemng means extending longitudinally of and at a plurality oflocations transversely to the direction of length of said peripheralmember, and means for suspending the bag to hold said members indistended position when said one circular member is in closed position,said suspending means comprising an element secured to said closure flapof said one circular member adjacent the free edge of said closure flap.

6. A bag comprising a peripheral member and oppositely disposed circularmembers, said peripheral member being of non-selfsustaining fabric, oneof said circular members being of non-self-,sustaining fabric, a portionof said one circular member forming a closure flap to provide an openingto aiford access withinthe bag, the-free edge of said closure ila-pextending from one location adjacent said peripheral member to anotherlocation adjacent said peripheral member, a series of fasteners securedto .the free edge of said closure flap for closing said closure flap,stifening means for said periphripheral member, said stiii'enin meansbeing disposed inwardly of said peripheral member and means forsuspending the ban' to hold said members in distended position Wien saidclosure Hap of said one circular member is in closed position, saidsuspending means comprising an element secured to said closure Hapintermediate the ends of tlie free edge of said closure flap.

7. Abag comprising a peripheral member and oppositely disposed sidemembers, said pripheral member and said side members ing ofnon-self-sustaining material, one of said side members being secured toone edge of said peripheral member and having a portion serving as aclosure flap to provide an opening to afford access Within the bag,fastener means for closing said closure flap,

vthe other of said side members being secured to the opposite edge ofsaid peripheral member, stifl'ening sheet material secured to saidperipheral member serving to hold said peripheral member fullydistended, and handle,

means for suspending the bag.

8. A bag comprising non-self-sustaining material serving as the materialproper of the bag, said material including a peripherally extendingortion, said material further including a si e portion, peripherallydisposed stiffening means for said peripherally extending portion andfor maintaining the non-self-sustaining material of said one side taut,said material further including a portion for the side opposite said oneside, said opposite side serving as the closure side of the bag toafford when open access to the interior of the bag, detachable means forclosing said closure side, and handle means for suspending the bag. v

9.- A bag comprising a peripheral member and oppositely disposed sidemembers, said eripheral member and said side members eing ofnon-self-sustaining material, one of said side members being secured toone edge of said peripheral member and having. a portion serving as aclosure flap to provide an opening Ato afford access within 'the bag,fastener means for closing said closure flap, the other of said sidemembers being secured to the opposite edge of said peripheral member,stiifening sheet material extending peripherally of said peripheralmember and serving to hold said peripheral member at all times fullydistended, the ends of saidstifl'ening material being overlapped, andhandle means for suspending the bag.

`l0. A bag comprising non-self-sustaining material, spaced stifeningmembers extending peripherally of the bag, said stilfening members beingin the form of a band, each band having disconnectible means forconnecting its ends to one another.

11. A container formed of non-self-sustaining material and having aplurality of compartments, partition means defining said compartmentsand a stiiiening member eX- tending peripherally of said container, saidstiffening member being in the form of a band.

12. A container formed of non-selfsus taining material and having aplurality of compartments7 partition means defining said compartmentsand a stii'ening member extending peripherally of said container, saidstifening member being in the form of a band, said band having openends.

13. A container formed of non-self sustaining material and having aplurality of compartments, partition means defining said compartmentsand a stiffening member eX- tending peripherallv of said container,saidy stiifemng member eing in the form of a band, said band having openends and dlsconnectlble connecting means for the ends of said band.

14. A bag comprising non-self sustainingl material, and having twocompartments, a partition defining said compartments, spaced stiffeningmembers extending peripherally of the bag, said stiffening members beingin the form of' a band, each handhaving disconnectible means forconnecting its ends to one another, said stiii'ening means beingdisposed immediately adjacent said partition.

15. A multi-compartment bag of non-selfsustaining fabric forming thebottom, sides and top of the bag, a stiifeningmember located in eachcompartment of the bag, a partition formed of fabric sewed at itsperiphery to the side portion of the first-named fabric, said bag beingprovided with suspending means and said stiifening members being ofmaterial to render the material of the bag self-sustaining and hold theseveral compartments in spaced relation when the bag is suspended.

16. A collapsible bag comprising fabric forming the bottom, sides andtop of the bag and stiffening means extending peripherally of andsecured to said fabric, said stilfening means being resilient to enablethe bag to be twisted and folded after twisting and Without rupture ofsaid stiffening means, and means for enclosing the twisted and foldedbag in collapsed position. y

17. A multi-compartment collapsible bag of fabric forming the bottom,lsides and top of the bag, a hoop located in cach compartment of the bag,a vpartition formed of fabric seW'ed at its periphery to the sideportion of the first-named fabric, said hoopor hoops being of materialof sufficient resiliency. to enable the bag to be vertically collapsed,then twisted and then folded Without rupture of said hoops and means forenclosing the twisted and folded bag in collapsed position.

In testimonywhereof I have signed this specification this 23rd day ofNovember, 1921.

HELEN C. GAMBLE.

